It is said that Emperor Cao Rui had a look of hesitation on his face after learning about the battle situation in Jingzhou. When Cao Zhao, Cao Shuang, Liu Fang, Sun Zi, He Zeng and others were silent, he sent Xiahou Ba, the legitimate son and Xiahou Xian, who was the leading general of the Jin Dynasty, spoke:
"Your Majesty, although Lu Yi got a small advantage in Jiangxia this time, the three armies of the Wu army traveled a long distance and came with great fanfare. After all, our army relied on your Majesty's power of heaven, which finally made Sun Quan, Lu Yi, Sun Shao and others unable to do anything. The victory was returned, so upon closer inspection, it was me, the Great Wei, who won this battle!"
Xia Houxian's flattery was in the right place. Cao Rui, who had always wanted to make contributions personally, heard this and felt slightly less unhappy. After a long while, Cao Rui finally nodded and said:
"Although Xiahou Junlin, the commander-in-chief of Jingyu, did not defeat Wu's army this time, he did manage it well, so that Xiangyang and the west of Jingzhou did not lose a single piece of armor or lose a single citizen, which is worthy of his credit!"
After hearing these words, everyone present, especially Xia Houxian, finally felt relieved.
Speaking of this, Cao Rui thought of Jiang Xia again. At this moment, a cold light flashed in his eyes, so that Xia Houxian, who was standing in front of him, couldn't help but shudder.
Cao Rui said coldly:
"But this time, Lu Shi, the governor of Jiangxia, not only failed to fulfill his duties and protect the people, but instead harmed himself and the people by closing the city gates. This caused the hearts of several counties on our border to fluctuate and the people's hearts to drop sharply. It is really an unforgivable crime! Chang Si , Yanlong, and Ziqi, the three of you will discuss it together. Yousi will write a long article and describe Lu Shi's crimes to me. In addition, I don't think Lu Shi, the prefect of Jiangxia, should continue to do it. You draw up another edict and say, don't let Lu Shi become a commoner, and let him experience the feeling of being a commoner!"
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
Cao Zhao, Cao Shuang, Sun Zi, Liu Fang, Xia Houxian, Bian Lan, Du Shu, He Zeng and others all saluted neatly and praised the emperor's virtue as if they were rehearsing in advance.
[Note 1: "Three Kingdoms, Book of Wu, Biography of Lu Xun": "It is also said that Lu Shi, the prefect of Wei and Jiangxia, also led the troops and horses, which was quite harmful to the border, and he was not in harmony with the old general of the north, Wen Pinzi. When Xun heard this, he gave a false answer. The Shi Shu says: "I have sincerely expressed my sympathy. I know that I and Xiu have been at odds with each other for a long time. They are incompatible with each other. If they want to come and join me, they will often send secret letters to the public to welcome them." It is advisable to dive at a tight speed and update it regularly. "A book was placed on the boundary. When the soldiers got the book and saw the style, Shi was frightened, so he sent his wife back to Luo. As a result, the officials were no longer close to each other, so they were dismissed." It can be seen from this that morality is excluded, and Lu Shi is an ability. Only a good general would make Lu Yi fearful and devise a frame-up. This novel is a plot device, which slightly vilifies Lu's character. 】
"His Majesty."
After a while, Gaotang, the regular attendant of Sanqi, came forward and said:
"We were able to easily defeat the enemy this time, thanks to your Majesty's personal expedition, which greatly boosted the morale of our Yangzhou soldiers. Therefore, I thought that the general was currently in an unresolved stalemate with the Shu army. Your Majesty, the emperor, could use the car to take advantage of the situation." The victorious force marches westward into Guanzhong, and as a result, the Shu captives led by Zhuge Liang will also retreat early."
After hearing Gao Tanglong's words, Cao Rui frowned and thought for a long time. Although Gao Tanglong was his teacher, he still chose to follow his own ideas. He shook his head and said:
"In my opinion, it doesn't have to be like this. The Wu army commanded by Sun Quan, Lu Yi, Sun Shao and others has already retreated. When the Shu captives heard about it, they must have been frightened and disheartened. Why do I need to fight in person again? The one I am worried about is Wu Shu. The two armies are united. Now that Soochow has retreated, and there is only a lone army in Western Shu, how long can it last? The general leads the Yongliang tiger soldiers, which should be enough to control them, and I have no worries!"
Cao Shuang asked again:
"Then, does Your Majesty want to return to the imperial court at this time?"
"No."
Cao Rui's eyes were shining with a different light at this moment. He waved his hand and said:
"Zhaobo, Changsi, and Shengping, please pass down the order and order my army to march to Shouchun. After repairing, I will reward and inspect the Yangzhou troops in Shouchun. After this is completed, I will return to Luoyang. "
After a while, the emperor seemed to suddenly remember something.
He thought of the famous general Jia Kui and Jia Liangdao who had devoted his life to the dynasty and sacrificed his life and blood.
At the beginning, Cao Xiu, the Grand Sima, had a disagreement with Jia Kui and always looked down on Jia Kui. During the reign of Emperor Wen, his father wanted to grant Jia Kui the Talisman Festival, but Cao Xiu interfered with it due to his own selfish motives. He told Emperor Wen that Jia Kui had a strong temperament and always looked down on the generals, so he could not be the commander-in-chief of one side. Emperor Wen was as close as brothers to the late Sima Cao Xiu, and believed his words to be true, so he gave up the idea of re-employing Jia Kui.
Later, in the battle of Shiting, Da Sima was defeated by Dongwu general Lu Yi. If Jia Kui had not rescued him at that time, Da Sima would have been completely annihilated. Jia Kui did not forget his past grudges and fell instantly. It is also said that Jia Kui, who was already fifty-five years old, suddenly passed away on the battlefield where he had struggled all his life at the southeastern border.
Therefore, the Great Sima Cao Xiu also died in great depression at the Great Sima's Mansion in Luoyang not long after.
Cao Rui still remembers Jia Kui and Jia Liangdao's last words when he was seriously ill: "I have been favored by the country, and I wish I could kill Sun Quan personally to see the late emperor under Jiuquan!"
Naturally, Cao Rui will never forget such a loyal minister and martyr. He thought to himself, now that he was not far from the ancestral hall built by the people of Yuzhou for Jia Liangdao, how could he not go to worship?
The emperor considered this and said again:
"In a few days, I plan to go to Jia Liang Taoist Temple in Xiangcheng to worship in person. Dear friends, please make arrangements for me in advance."
"Your Majesty has made a clear decision." Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao, Gao Tanglong and others took note of the emperor's instructions, bowed, and exited the Louchuan Pavilion.
A few days later, the emperor traveled lightly and took a chariot to the Jia Kui Temple in Xiangcheng. After offering sacrifices, he thought that his personal worship at the Jia Kui Temple would be known to everyone in the world, and he would show his loyalty to his ministers and righteous men. of honor. So Cao Rui ordered Liu Fang and Sun Zi to issue an edict:
"I passed through Xiangcheng yesterday and saw the monument of Jia Kui, and I felt sad when I thought about it. The ancients said that it is not a problem that a name is not established, but it is not a problem that the years are not long. When Kui is alive, he has loyalty and honor, but when he is gone, he is remembered by people. It can be said that he is dead. He is immortal. Today I tell Jia Kui that he has made great contributions to the people of the world, so as to encourage the loyal ministers and righteous men in the future!"
[Note 2: This edict has been modified by the author to make it easier for readers to read. 】
―――
In a blink of an eye, it’s late autumn.
On the Youzhou campus, Xia Houxuan, Cao Xi, and Yu Huan were able to cooperate with Han Long tacitly when they attacked together.
At this time, the four of them were testing each other's martial arts.
On the competition ground east of the school ground, Yu Huan was currently dueling with Han Long.
Yu Huan, who has grown up and is tall, is now wearing the "black dragon armor" that was confiscated from the government when he executed Lei Li, the general of the Donghai King Cao Lin's house, and was begged by Xia Houxuan. , was wearing a sapphire blue Hu robe. At this moment, he was holding a three-foot dagger passed down from his family, posing as if he were "a dragon swimming in the southern sea."
Compared with Yu Huan's full armor, Han Long was not wearing any armor at this moment. He was wearing a black Hu suit. He stretched out a pair of fleshy palms and smiled lightly at Yu Huan.
When the autumn wind rises, Yu Huan's silhouette and sword light have already drifted to Han Long's side!
Sooner or later, as soon as Yu Huan got started, he used the seven-move series "Yinglong Qijue" in his family's secret art. When he flew up with his left foot and kicked Han Long, he used the dagger in his right hand from bottom to top. Instead, he raised it up. The first move of "Yinglong Hanging Horns" was extremely powerful. Yu Huan used his hands and feet together to attack from above and below. No matter how brave and invincible Han Long was, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat at this moment. He hurriedly He took three steps back with a series of lunges, and then he avoided Yu Huan's first move!
After gaining the upper hand, Yu Huan did not dare to delay, and then used the second trick in the seven-link series, "Ying Long Raise His Head". At this moment, Yu Huan leaned his whole body back, but kept running towards Han Long. The dagger in his right hand held three Cloud Sword Flowers in a row. It was really like a dragon with its head raised and back, teeth and claws spread. This move was more bizarre than the previous move. Han Long saw the fierceness of this move and had no time to dodge. He was quick to wit and relied on his bravery. He used his arms and palms to apply the fierce palm power of his unique skill "Youyan Cracked Stone Hand", aimed at the spine of Yu Huan's dagger and slapped it!
Yu Huan originally thought that his move was strange and fast, but he expected Han Long to be unable to dodge, but he didn't expect that the opponent would dare to use his flesh palm to fight hard, and he was stunned for a moment. Experts who use each other's moves often win in an instant. The victory or defeat was known, just when Yu Huan was stunned, Han Long's right palm had already hit the ridge of his dagger. Xia Houxuan and Cao Xi, who were watching the battle, only heard the sound of "zheng". With the sound of iron clanking, Yu Huan's dagger flew out of his hand!
Xia Houxuan couldn't help being surprised, thinking that Han Long's palm power was really extraordinary.
At this critical moment, Yu Huan was also lucky. He used the move "Ying Long Raise His Head" with his body tilted back, but Han Long struck out from the bottom with his palm, so the dagger was also facing the sky. Fly away.
Seeing that he had an opportunity, Yu Huan immediately stretched out his hand to catch the sword. Seeing that he had succeeded with one blow, how could Han Long let Yu Huan overturn the situation? He immediately stepped forward and struck Yu Huan's chest and abdomen with his palm at an extremely fast speed. This palm was enough to force Yu Huan to abandon his sword and admit defeat. However, what Han Long did not expect was that Yu Huan faced him. He was actually indifferent to his unparalleled "Youyan's Stone-Cracking Hands"!
Han Long was shocked. In his haste, he couldn't retract all of his palm power, so he had to immediately withdraw 50% of his palm power.
Xia Houxuan and Cao Xi saw that although Han Long's palm had lost a lot of force, but it was about to hit Yu Huan, the consequences would still be unimaginable, so they hurriedly tried to save him, but it was too late, so they had to shout. Show mercy!
He only heard the sound of "scandium", the sound of gold and iron, and Han Long felt that the place where his "stone cracking hand" touched was extremely hard, and he was horrified that Huan's internal strength was so advanced, and in an instant Huan I felt a strong force coming from my chest and abdomen, forcing my breathing to freeze for a while. In just this moment, Yu Huan had already taken the sword in his hand, but was forced back six times by Han Long's palm force. step.
After Yu Huan stood still, he was horrified. He didn't expect that Han Long's palm, which he didn't use his full strength, was still so terrifying. Even the extremely strong "black dragon armor" could hardly withstand it. He took a few deep breaths hurriedly, Only then did the inner breath become smoother.
Xia Houxuan, Han Long, and Cao Xi all felt relieved when they saw that Yu Huan was fine. After Han Long closed his palms, he cupped his fists and said to Huan:
"I didn't expect that although Marquis Yishou Ting was young, his internal strength was so powerful. Han just gave up!"
When Yu Huan heard this, he felt ashamed. He opened his clothes, put away his sword and returned the courtesy:
"I'm ashamed. It's only because Brother Han was merciful and he was wearing this "black dragon armor" that he survived. Brother Han's palm power is really admirable to me!"
When Han Long saw Yu Huan open his clothes to reveal the dazzling black armor with layers of scales, he finally understood in his heart. He originally thought that there were many talented people in the world, but his skills were no longer good, but at this moment he regained his skills. of confidence and pride.
"Marquis Yishou Ting, accept the concession!"
——————
In Weinan, Yongzhou, hundreds of miles west of Chang'an, the wind on the Wuzhang Plain is chilling to the bones. From time to time, you can still hear the calls of northern geese returning south.
The autumn wind rustled, and the dead leaves drifted down from the tall tree trunks and fell into the bone-chilling Wei River.
Zhuge Liang, the last prime minister of the Han Dynasty and the Marquis of Wuxiang, was no longer the high-spirited young man with a "heroic spirit" and "great appearance" when he was young.
At this moment, he was gray and his temples were messy by the autumn wind by the Weishui River. He faced the south and glanced at the bright red that he and the late emperor had created; he also looked east at the dimly visible Chang'an.
Finally, he glanced at the sky, let out a long sigh, and was speechless.
A great man of his generation, Zhuge Kongming, Prime Minister of Shu, finally died in Wuzhangyuan before the Northern Expedition was over. The whole country of Shuhan mourned.
Later, Wei General Sima Yi, who was almost scared off by the death of Zhuge, finally led his army through the Shu Han military stronghold, but this time no Shu army stood in front of him. He looked at the buildings built by Zhuge Liang and left by the Han army. The camp was built with empty walls and stone walls, silent and speechless.
After a long time, he couldn't help but sigh: Liang is really a genius in the world.
